About the keyboards settings on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

With iOS 11 and later, you can use the built-in keyboards on your device in every app. You can also switch between keyboards, select one-handed typing, use third-party keyboards, and more.

Change the settings of your keyboard

You can change the settings of the built-in keyboard on your device or add languages. This also changes the dictionary used for auto-correction, the number of letters on the keyboard, and the arrangement of the keys. The language of the keyboard also determines the language of the dictionary used for predictive text.

To adjust the keyboard settings:

Open an app that uses the keyboard, like Messages or Mail.

Touch and hold or .

Tap Keyboard Settings.

Then customize your settings.

Add or delete a third-party keyboard app

You can install third-party keyboard apps just like you install other apps on your device. After you install a new keyboard, you need to add it before you can use it. Follow these steps:

Go to the App Store and find the keyboard app that you want.

Tap Get > Install.

Enter your Apple ID password or use Face ID or Touch ID if it's available on your device.

Then add the new keyboard. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add a New Keyboard and select the app that you installed. You might need to set the keyboard to allow full access in order to use it.

To delete a third-party keyboard:

Go to Settings > General > Keyboard and tap Keyboards.

Tap Edit.

Tap , then tap Done.

You can also delete a keyboard by deleting the companion app that you installed from the App Store. This also removes the keyboard from Settings.

Switch to another keyboard

While you're using an app, you can switch to a different keyboard, like a third-party keyboard or a language keyboard. Follow these steps:

Touch and hold or .

Select the keyboard you want to use.

To arrange the order of your keyboards:

Go to Settings > General > Keyboard and tap Keyboards.

Tap Edit.

Touch and hold to move the keyboard.

Tap Done.

Sometimes, third-party keyboards aren't available for one of these reasons:

If the developer of the app you’re using doesn’t allow third-party keyboards.

If you type in a secure text field, like a password entry that shows typed characters as dots instead of letters and numbers.

If you use a number pad instead of a standard keyboard.

Instead, you’ll see the default keyboard until you finish typing.

Turn on one-handed typing

With iOS 11 and later, you can use one-handed typing on your iPhone to make it easier to type with one hand.

Touch and hold or .

Tap to move the keyboard to the left. Tap to move the keyboard to the right.

When you're done, touch and hold or . Then tap to bring your keyboard back to its usual setting.

You can also turn on one-handed typing from Settings > General > Keyboards and tap One Handed Keyboard. You need an iPhone 6 or later with iOS 11 or later to use the one-handed keyboard. This feature excludes iPhone SE and iPod touch.

If you have an iPhone 6 or later, the one-handed keyboard doesn't work if you have your display set to Zoomed instead of Standard. If you have an iPhone 6 Plus or later, the one-handed keyboard will work if your display is set to Zoomed or Standard. To adjust your display settings, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Display Zoom.

Change the layout of your physical keyboard

You can choose between multiple keyboard layouts to match the keys on your physical keyboard. You can also use an alternative keyboard layout that doesn't match the keys on your physical keyboard.

Before you can change your physical keyboard, you need to pair it with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Follow the instructions that came with your keyboard to place it in discovery or pair mode. After you pair it, go to Settings > General > Hardware Keyboard, then select a layout.

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